It is a human tradition that obsolete systems had been changed over time and replaced by new and more functional systems for the betterment of society. But here in Pakistan, the Revenue department (Land management department) is not functional enough to cater the needs of people and it has to be replaced with an effective system.
Patwari is the most junior staff of the revenue department and the more powerful and influencing personality in the concerned region (Patwar Circle). Even some use Patwari as their family name. It is the root cause of the corruption in this department. It’s a human psychology to struggle for better weather its business, job or personal life. Every one wants rapid promotions, but can you believe patwari is a person who starts his career as a patwari and his huge desire is to retire as a patwari. This system was designed and implemented by Sher Shah Suri in the Indo-Pak sub continent. During the British rule on the region, they continued the system with minor amendments. May be this system was appropriate at that time but it is not deemed fit for the current situation and circumstances in Pakistan.
I hold some agricultural land, that’s why I have had a huge connection with revenue department and Patwaris. As the lowest state functionary in the Revenue Collection system, his job encompasses visiting agricultural lands and maintaining record of ownership of lands, crops and crops belongings. Maintaining the record of each harvest (normally two major crops in a year), accounts of revenue collected through that crops and up to date record of mutations (Intiqal), including preserving village records, monitoring daily activities, and gathering information about individuals. These are the said duties of a patwari, which I heard from my elders, but what is the on ground situation. Let me discuss it with you.
Not only the patwari or the revenue system is responsible for the corruption, but the management and the government has also its role. The average pay of a patwari is app. Rs 12,000, and he has to stay in the patwar circle for the ease of the population. Patwari living standard is much more than his pay. What they are doing, there is no separate or dedicated offices for patwari by the government, they have to arrange there own offices from there own resources. They have two to three assistants not provided by the government but arranged by patwaris for their ease. Now a days, patwari is hugely involves in the sale purchase of the property, as he is the person in charge of the patwar circle, he can manage to purchase the land on more negotiable rate. Also he plays a role of a broker (commission agent) between the other parties very often. He neglects its primary duties and his primary duties have to be performed by his assistants. These assistants are not properly trained; hence creates problems for the land holders and land purchasers. They ask bribe on behalf of patwari on legal issue (which is not forbidden by law). For an unlawful work, the rate of bribe you can’t imagine.
They said this is not bribery rather there fees. The average fees; which I observe are as under;
1.Fard for record purpose only Rs 1000
2.Fard for Guarantee or for official use by court Rs 2000
3. Mutation 1% of the actual cost from both seller and purchaser (Girdawer and Tehsildar fees are other than that).
1.Fard for record purpose only Rs 1000
2.Fard for Guarantee or for official use by court Rs 2000
3. Mutation 1% of the actual cost from both seller and purchaser (Girdawer and Tehsildar fees are other than that).
These fees are almost legalizing now and he didn’t ask for them. Generally people give the fees themselves without his demand. A lot of other fees are charged by patwaris to generally uneducated and poor villagers.
They also manipulate the CVT (Capital value tax). Government charge different CVT rate on different nature of land almost 6% to 15 % on the selling amount. Patwaris also take that tax amount from the purchaser and shows less amount in the government records. E.g. A person buys a land for Rs 5, 00,000 and the CVT rate is 10%. It means that he has to pay Rs 50,000 to government. Patwari will record the sold land at Rs 50,000 and the 10% of this amount is only Rs 5000. He deposits Rs 5000 in bank as CVT and enjoys remaining Rs 45,000 on a single deal.
Efficient tax infrastructure is the backbone of the any country’s economy. It is huge loss for government and to tax system. So, in order to reduce this corruption and increasing the revenue collection. It is a huge need that government should computerize all the revenue record and minimize the authority of the patwari. There should be transaction recording system. This system should be replaced with an efficient one.
I will put some suggestions for the betterment of the system next time.
